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/ 27 May 2006

Ultra-Orthodox Jews surf the forbidden web

Hidden behind curtains in small booths decked along the wall of a dark internet café in the heart of Jerusalem, Jewish ultra-Orthodox teenagers explore a forbidden world. More and more ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, youngsters are becoming interested in the secular world surrounding their tightly sealed society, and the web is today a central battleground between tradition and reform.

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/ 27 May 2006

Concern over judges’ business interests

Questions over possible conflicts of interest involving acting members of the judiciary have been raised by the disclosure this week that advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza has not declared his business involvement since assuming the position of acting judge. In 1999, Ntsebeza was appointed to the board of Barlow World and is currently a non-executive director of the company.

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/ 26 May 2006

A victim of its own success

The Western Cape province is a victim of its own success. Blessed with scenic beauty and an upwardly mobile economy (the growth rate last year was 5,3% compared to the national average of 4,5%), it is perceived as a ”rich province” and is a drawcard for many. But infrastructure and services are being stretched.

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/ 26 May 2006

Hamas withdraws paramilitaries from Gaza

The Hamas government on Friday recalled a controversial paramilitary force from the streets of Gaza on the second day of cross-party talks to resolve deadly Palestinian feuding. The move came one day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas threatened to call a referendum to end the deadly rivalry between Hamas and his former ruling Fatah party.

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/ 26 May 2006

Residents flee restive Somali capital

Hundreds of Somalis packed mattresses and food into minivans and trucks, preparing to flee their capital a day after it suffered some of the fiercest battles in 14 days. Doctors reached by telephone in the city’s hospitals and clinics raised the death toll from Thursday’s fighting to 60, with more than 150 wounded.